As with the other contributors to this thread, I am interested the Nova. As you have published on the website, the Nova provides 80wpc @ 8 ohm impedance. Can you provide any information on performance/stability at 4 or 6 ohms? I have bookshelf speakers that are efficient (90 db), but are 6 ohm nominal and can stretch down to 4 ohm (or lower).

The wait is killing me. Will we be seeing in store demo units anytime soon? There are 2 dealers in the Portland area and they both seem to push out a lot of Deccos so maybe they'll get one soon.

Me too! This is worse than waiting on your 10th birthday...
Last update was we should be getting the first Nova units in mid-March.
I had the pre-production unit in Portland and Seattle last week and really put it through the paces. I can not wait until you all hear this thing...
I visited Pearl Audio, NW Sony Only, Bradford's, Resolution and Definitive Audio where we did an event w/ Magnapan and Wadia during the Music Matters IV event. The Nova was a big hit.

Will be in Denver, Boulder and Colorado Spgs next week visiting Listen Up.
It's slow going, but we'll somehow cover the USA by years end.

Love the product (on paper...) and plan to buy one next month! I plan to use it as a DAC/Pre but I would like to use the internal amps for about 6 months (while I save some $$$ for external amps) with a pair of Martin Logan Spires.

Have you tried your amps on any electrostatic speakers? The Spires have internal amps for the woofers so only the panels need to be powered. The speakers are efficient (91 dB/2.83 )BUT the impedance is crazy (4 ohms, 0.8 at 20kHz). I sit about 10 ft back listen at about 75-80dB. Any input on the subject would be appreciated.

I should note that I currently do not own a pair of Spires (I have B&W 703s). Because I do not own them I do not know much about the power requirements. But I have decided on the Spires for my next speakers and plan to by them in a few months... and build a system around them as needed.

I use a mac mini as my source and am looking for a good DAC/Pre. Amps would be a HUGE cost saver at the moment. If I could get away with the internal amps for awhile it would be great.....Or if you would make me a "Super-Nova" with 200+ watts.... simply heaven...

Have you tried your amps on any electrostatic speakers? The Spires have internal amps for the woofers so only the panels need to be powered. The speakers are efficient (91 dB/2.83 )BUT the impedance is crazy (4 ohms, 0.8 at 20kHz). I sit about 10 ft back listen at about 75-80dB. Any input on the subject would be appreciated.If it were a benign 4 ohms you would be fine, but with the impedance dropping so low, I would not recommend using the Nova amp. Good news is it has a class A 30 ohm pre-out, so it should impedance any amp you would use.

I use a mac mini as my source and am looking for a good DAC/Pre. Amps would be a HUGE cost saver at the moment. If I could get away with the internal amps for awhile it would be great.....Or if you would make me a "Super-Nova" with 200+ watts.... simply heaven...

Wish I could give you better news, but w/ the ML setup, you really need a good seperate amp...
We do have a Super Nova on the drawing board, but won't happen real soon. Thanks

Considering the Decco is no longer available at the website in any finish it must be an upgraded Decco.

Would love to hear some info about it....

Okay Guys...You're the first to hear details...
The D2 is an upgrade in almost every way. We did take the power down to 40wpc, but the upgrades more than make up for the 10wpc you lose.
The upgrades are as follows:
1. Class A pre-out
2. Class A fixed out for use as a stand-alone switchable DAC (The Decco had no fixed line out)
3. Class A Headphone section
4. ESS Sabre DAC (w/11 regulated power supplies)
5. Better volume control (Tracks more linear)
6. Transformer coupled digital inputs
7. Home Theater by-pass
We think it will be between $850-$900 (est) and will be here late summer.

The D2 will still have only 3 digital in (USB, CO-AX, Toslink) and two analog as the Decco has now.

We learned much on the original Decco and felt the need to push the envelope as much as possible...

I'm a newbie here and fairly new with audio stuff, but hope I can ask for some advice.

I got here after searching for info about the Decco. I think either a Decco or Nova would be a good fit for what I want, but could use some advice putting things together.

Here's what I had in mind: I want a good (but not over the top expensive) set up for 2 channel music (mixed classical, jazz, rock if that makes a difference). This will go in a 14x16' living room that is open to other parts of the house. I have a lot of music at 256 bitrate in iTunes and really enjoy streaming them via the airport express.

I see both Decco and Nova have toslink inputs which is great for using with the airport express.

So my questions are:

1. Is there any reason to pick Decco vs. Nova as DAC/integrated amp for use with the airport express as source?
2. Do you think Decco/Nova will be okay in a space of that size? The website emphasizes using these with a computer/office, but I'd like to use it in a medium size room.
2. I'm pretty clueless about what speakers to consider that will go well with Decco/Nova. Any suggestions? (My price range would be $500-1000 for speakers). Looking for something that will sound very good and be at least somewhat stylish. Would you recommend floorstanders or bookshelf or sub/sat?

My experience with speakers is pretty limited. My home theater set-up is orb audio orbs all around and their sub. I got that because of space and aesthetic reasons in the family room and like it a lot for 5.1 home theater. It sounds good for music too, but I'm not sure I want a subwoofer in the living room (not sure there is a good place to hide it).

Hi guys,
my experience with speakers is pretty limited. My home theater set-up is orb audio orbs all around and their sub. I got that because of space and aesthetic reasons in the family room and like it a lot for 5.1 home theater. It sounds good for music too, but I'm not sure I want a subwoofer in the living room (not sure there is a good place to hide it).

Thanks in advance for any help!

Well the Decco is 40wpc and the Nova is 80wpc. With 40w you'll want some speakers that sound good and are efficient if you plan on listening at different volumes. I'm thinking about checking out the HSU HB-1 Mk 2 because I like the sound of horn loaded tweeters and they are efficient (92db). Your Orb's are 89db so they play slightly lower in amplitude when given the same power.

Do you guys have any reviews setup for the Nova yet? I can't wait to read the results.

Has anyone thought an a nice "clean" way to use the HT Bypass feature yet avoid the purchase of a bulky AVR?

I guess I'll search and see if anyone makes a small preamp with surround.

Hi, we do have some reviews coming as soon as I can got a few out. I can't wait to send them.
What ever setup you have now, there will be another component (Nova). And probably two if one wants to add a Computer or one of the dozens of other digital sources avalable..
Still, at least one even if you use the Nova for your CD.
David

here's what i had in mind: I want a good (but not over the top expensive) set up for 2 channel music (mixed classical, jazz, rock if that makes a difference). This will go in a 14x16' living room that is open to other parts of the house. I have a lot of music at 256 bitrate in itunes and really enjoy streaming them via the airport express.

1. Is there any reason to pick decco vs. Nova as dac/integrated amp for use with the airport express as source?the nova is better in every way starting w/ the dac, but for $800, the decco sounds well beyound the level you would expect.
2. Do you think decco/nova will be okay in a space of that size? The website emphasizes using these with a computer/office, but i'd like to use it in a medium size room.

with the right speaker, it should be fine in this sized area. And to jump to your next question, the era d5/nova combo in a room this size is whay i use w/a mac mini and imho it's very good. We own era and design the peachtree using them first. They sell for $1000/pr.

here's a snapshot of my livingroom system... I've since replaced the decco w/the nova, but the rest remains the same.
2. ...speakers to consider that will go well with decco/nova. Any suggestions? (my price range would be $500-1000 for speakers). Looking for something that will sound very good and be at least somewhat stylish. Would you recommend floorstanders or bookshelf or sub/sat?

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